An acne medicine with antibacterial activity, supplied in different strengths and vehicles.
Sources: 1, 2No alternative names recorded.
Ask your clinician
AAD describes limited topical benzoyl peroxide use as an option to discuss in pregnancy. Amount, area and the intended product still matter.
Sources: 2Strong supporting evidence
Benzoyl Peroxide
What it does
Helps reduce acne lesions in suitable treatment regimens. More product or a higher strength does not necessarily improve tolerance or results.
Sources: 1, 2Good for
- Acne treatment
How to use it
Follow the medicine label or prescriber's instructions for amount, frequency and wash-off versus leave-on use. Do not copy a prescription regimen onto an unrelated cosmetic.
Sources: 1, 2Who should be careful
Can cause dryness, peeling, irritation or allergy and may bleach hair or fabrics. Marked swelling or blistering warrants stopping use and medical advice.
Sources: 1, 2Pairs well with
No supported pairings have been documented for this record.
Usage, safety and formulation details
Mechanism of action
Oxidative activity reduces Cutibacterium acnes; it is often included in combination acne regimens.
Sources: 1, 2Potential adverse effects
Stinging, redness, dryness or peeling may occur; a marked allergic-type reaction needs medical assessment.
Sources: 1, 2Formulation considerations
Wash-off and leave-on preparations have different exposure. Follow the medicine label or prescriber's directions.
Sources: 1, 2Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Ask your clinician
AAD describes limited topical benzoyl peroxide use as an option to discuss in pregnancy. Amount, area and the intended product still matter.
Sources: 2Safety tags
- Fragrance allergen
- Not assessed
Not separately assessed in this draft.
- Essential oil
- Not assessed
Not separately assessed in this draft.
- Drying alcohol
- Not assessed
Not separately assessed in this draft.
What remains uncertain
- Exact concentration, final pH and the full composition of any unprovided finished product
Clinical evidence and research
Clinical evidence
Evidence for its main benefitStrong supporting evidence
The 2024 AAD acne guideline makes a strong recommendation for benzoyl peroxide. This supports medicinal acne use; cosmetic strengths and vehicles should not automatically inherit every medicine claim.
Sources: 1, 2Regulation and ingredient label names
Regulatory information
No jurisdiction-specific assessment is recorded. An inventory listing is not blanket approval.
Names on ingredient lists
benzoyl peroxide
Chemical identity and molecular structure
Chemical information
Chemical structure
| Detail | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| PubChem CID | 7187 | PubChem compound 7187: chemical identity |
| molecular formula | C14H10O4 | PubChem compound 7187: chemical identity |
| molecular weight | 242.23 g/mol | PubChem compound 7187: chemical identity |
| iupac name | benzoyl benzenecarboperoxoate | PubChem compound 7187: chemical identity |
Content updated 9 November 2026.
Sources (3)
Scientific sources
- AAD: Guidelines of care for acne vulgarisclinical guideline · 2024
- AAD: Acne treatment during pregnancyclinical guidance
- PubChem compound 7187: chemical identitychemical identity
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